29 January 1944– 1660 HCU, RAF Swinderby – Short Stirling V – EF246 – F/O J M Greig – Training.
Location – Crashed in Humber near Killingholme Lighthouse
Took off from RAF Swinderby at 2019 hours on 29 January 1944 on a Bullseye and night searchlight co-operation exercise. Shortly after 2200 hours EF246 came into the Hull area flying on a course due south at 15,000 feet and was illuminated by about 20 searchlights. The aircraft commenced violent evasive action, turning north, and diving but appeared to be in distress with smoke coming from one side of the aircraft.
All searchlights were doused at 8/9000 feet. The aircraft continued diving with smoke and flames pouring from one engine. The aircraft dived straight into the Humber River at 2203 hours quite near the Killingholme Lighthouse.
Killingholme Lighthouses
F/O John Mortimer Greig DFC RAFVR - Pilot - 1660 HCU - Son of Lt.-Col. John Charles Whyte Greig and Eileen Mary Greig, of Streatham Common, London - Streatham Park Cemetery, London
P/O Vernon Francis Dickinson RAFVR - Pilot - 25 - 1660 HCU - Husband of Annie Dickinson, of Foyers, Inverness-shire - Runnymede Memorial
Sgt Arthur Spence RAFVR - 22 - Flight Engineer - 1660 HCU - Manchester Crematorium
F/O Edward Patrick Neary RAFVR - Air Bomber - 25 - 1660 HCU - Son of Edward P. and Edith Neary; ward of Mrs. K. Barber, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Runnymede Memorial
F/S Gwilyn Jones Williams RAF - Navigator - 1660 HCU - Son of Mrs. M. J. Williams, of Ynysddu, Monmouthshire - Runnymede Memorial
Sgt Stanley Walker RAF - Wireless Operator - 23 - 1660 HCU - Son of Arthur and Verna Kathleen Walker, of Ponteland. - Newcastle upon Tyne West Road Crematorium
Sgt Derek Leonard Helsby RAFVR - 19 - Air Gunner - 1660 HCU - Son of William Henry and Mabel Helsby, of Brook]ands. Sale - Sale Cemetery
F/S John Percival Hayden RAAF - 25 - Air Gunner - 1660 HCU - Son of Alexander Daniel Hayden, and nephew of Miss B. J. Hayden, of Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia - Runnymede Memorial
Compiled by David Fell with lighthouse photo from my archive and Stirling photos from WWP and WT
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